When the NFL lockout ends as a result of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the focus will turn from the courtroom and the board room to the War Room. This could take hours or days but by the end of next week, the NFL could be back in business. This means that 5 months of normal offseason activity will be compressed into about 2-1/2 weeks including re-signing of restricted free agents, training camp, review of new CBA rules, unrestricted free agency and of course, four weeks of painful preseason games.

Appearing on ESPN Radio Thursday (Jul 21, 12:08 PM) ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio reported that Kevin Kolb is already looking at real estate in Arizona. Several other sources have cited some knowledge of Kolb’s past conversations with Cardinals Ken Whisenhunt in addition to Whisenhunt’s inquiries with other coaches who have seen Kolb up close. On a recent Dan Patrick Show appearance Kolb seemed convinced he’d be traded to the Cardinals – so it’s not surprising that he’s already perusing the real estate market and planning accordingly.

It was supposed to happen prior to the 2011 NFL Draft and at that time the rumor was that Arizona would send either a first and third round pick or a pick and DB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Some combination of the player and picks went back and forth and it stands to reason that the Eagles asked for Adrian Wilson or other players to no avail. Now that Arizona has drafted Patrick Peterson, conventional NFL wisdom would indicate that Cromartie is leaving the land of the desert sun one way or another. The Cardinals could conceivably swap Cromartie for any of the other available QB but Kolb seems to be the logical first choice for Arizona.

The obvious stumbling block to a Kolb-Cardinals trade is the amount of compensation. It’s expected to include Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2012 draft pick (still to be determined), but Arizona will also have to fork over a long-term deal for Kolb (at least in the Matt Cassel range six years, $63 million) if Kolb is their ultimate choice. Other teams seeking QB help include San Francisco, Minnesota, Jacksonville and Miami but none guarantee a starting role. Kolb may also be dealt to Seattle if a better deal could be struck including Marcus Trufant and draft picks. Kolb for Cromartie or Trufant and draft picks? Where do we sign?

Over the course of 4 NFL seasons, Kolb has seen action in 21 games, completing 194 of 319 passes for 2,082 yards, 11 TD and 14 INT. Not exactly an appropriate sample size but Kolb has proven that he has an accurate arm and boasts two 300-yard passing games. For all practical purposes, Kolb is the most talented QB with the most upside potential from the current class of free agents and available veterans. Cromartie, a three year NFL vet, has 13 INT in 48 games played (43 as a starter) as well as 4 TD (on INT) and 126 tackles. Cromartie has experience as a return man and would be an excellent compliment to Asante Samuel.

The Eagles have made it clear that their first priority is Nnamdi Asomugha – who is rumored to be headed for Dallas. Free agency will be a two week frenzy of activity and teams need to be very clear about their first priority in order to ensure they have time to move on to secondary and tertiary choices. The next name on the list for most teams is former Cincinnati Bengals CB Johnathan Joseph (272 tackles, 14 INT, 3 TD in 5 seasons). Once the CB situation is resolved the Eagles should move onto their needs at linebacker, defensive linemen and safety.

Rumors abound involving the possible return of Stewart Bradley, Brian Westbrook and Brian Dawkins but it would require one or all to accept reduced roles. The rumor about disgraced Donovan McNabb returning to Philadelphia as Vick’s backup (rather than accept a third-string role behind Rex Grossman in Washington with Coach Shanahan) makes about as much sense as bringing Brett Favre to Broad Street. Critics cite Vick’s inability to stay healthy and Kolb’s knowledge of the offense as reasons to keep him – as well as the inexperience of second-year backup Mike Kafka. Trading Kolb makes sense because it would infuse the team with much-needed talent at the CB position and garner draft picks.

Then again, signing Nnamdi Asomugha would allow the Eagles to trade Kolb elsewhere. Lots of backup QB candidates could come to Philly including Kellon Clemons, Matt Hasselbeck, Jake Delhomme, Tavaris Jackson, Vince Young, etc. Asomugha should cost about $17-$20M per season on the open market which is why Dallas is the favorite destination. However, since Kolb’s contract expires after 2011 and he is entering the prime of his career, moving Kolb now and getting something back makes the most sense for all involved.

That would free up Philadelphia to pursue the likes of DT Albert Haynesworth, former Eagles DE Jason Babin or linebacker help. Much press has been generated regarding the fate of recently released Plaxico Burress as well as former Heisman Trophy Winner (stripped of the honor) Reggie Bush – each of whom are free agents. Burress was seen exiting the prison, greeted by agent Drew Rosenhaus and wearing a throwback Philadelphia Phillies baseball cap.

6 Comments

In response to “Floodgates Almost Open”

Nice post. I’m glad this is all finally about to end. I’m just really tired of all this talk and it’s about time we get to talking about some football. There are a ton of free agents out there and it’s going to be real interesting to see where a bunch of them go. Also, you think you could check out my blog cuz I’d love to hear what you have to say http://chrisross91.wordpress.com/2011/07/22/the-mirage-of-plaxico-burress/

Let’s get this party started right – and quickly! Looks like we are about to launch full-force into the most frenzied 3 weeks in American sports history (at least since the 1987 NFL Strike scramble to find replacement players)!

Where will Kolb end up? Cleveland? Arizona? Is Kolb the next Matt Schaub? Schaub was another guy behind Vick. If I’m Kolb, I would love to end up in the desert with the Cardinals. With Kolb as QB with the Cards, they could end up as division winners. Of course, that isn’t saying much when you win the NL West. lol. If Kolb ends up in Clev.—it could be a long winter along the lake!

Sources say the Kolb to Arizona deal was ready to go around the Draft but of course couldn’t go through. Originally it was supposed to be Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie plus a 2nd round 2011 pick. Since that is impossibl the two teams are debating the pick and it will likely be a conditional 2012 pick (based on Kolb’s stats and Cardinals record)… Second choice would be Seattle for Marcus Trufant and a draft pick… Cleveland would be third choice at best should Minnesota and SF both pass up the deal. Bet on Arizona!

AP Sources: NFL, Players Set on Terms of Deal
Jul 25, 10:16 AM (ET)
WASHINGTON (AP) – NFL owners and players agreed early Monday to the terms of a deal to end the lockout, and players were expected to begin their voting process later in the day, two people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the process was supposed to remain secret and no formal announcement had been made.

The NFL Players Association’s executive committee was to meet at its headquarters in Washington on Monday so it could be presented with the finalized agreement. NFLPA president Kevin Mawae arrived shortly after 9:30 a.m.

Owners overwhelmingly approved a proposal last week, but some unresolved issues still needed to be figured out to satisfy players; the owners do not need to vote again. The sides worked through the weekend and wrapped up talks Monday morning, one of the people told the AP.

The league’s old labor deal expired in March, and the owners locked out the players, the NFL’s first work stoppage since 1987.

“We have every reason to believe it’s going to be a good day,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello wrote in an email to the AP.

If players sign off on the agreement Monday, NFL clubs would be able to start signing 2011 draft picks and rookie free agents on Tuesday. Conversations with veteran free agents also could start Tuesday, and signings could begin Friday.

Under that tentative schedule, training camps would open for 10 of the 32 teams on Wednesday, 10 teams on Thursday, another 10 teams on Friday, and the last two teams on Sunday.

The major economic framework for the deal was worked out more than a week ago.

That included how the more than $9 billion in annual league revenues will be divided (about 53 percent to owners and 47 percent to players over the next decade; the old CBA resulted in nearly a 50-50 split); a per-club cap of about $120 million for salary and bonuses in 2011 – and at least that in 2012 and 2013 – plus about $22 million for benefits; a salary system to rein in spending on first-round draft picks; and unrestricted free agency for most players after four seasons.

Should the players’ executive committee vote to accept the deal, it then would go to the 32 team representatives to approve, perhaps later Monday. After that, the total membership would need to vote, with a simple majority required for passage.

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